Editor’s Fix: Gua Sha

Alison calls on an ancient tradition and a new at

Gua Sha Facial Editor’s Fix YOU & YOUR HEALTH

home ritual courtesy of 001 London’s microSculptor kit in the hope of rediscovering her jawline…

SEVEN out of ten women and girls believe that they are not attractive, or fall short of the expected standard when it comes to looks. That’s pretty terrible for our collective self-esteem and wellbeing. We’re inundated with images of women with unnatural body shapes, pairing unlikely pneumatic breasts and bottoms that take several seconds to enter a room behind them, with tiny waists that are often narrower than their heads. Facially, a combination of Botox, fillers and several layers of cosmetic products combine to create a smooth, but alien, landscape, with a hard jawline, razor-sharp cheekbones and fake lashes that would make a drag-queen feel underdressed. A world of influencers, measuring self-worth in likes, isn’t good for us.

Unlike many women, I’ve never been overly bothered by my appearance. I’ve long accepted that, while I have great hair and excellent skin, I have a bone structure that makes me look like a potato. I also have no discernible ankles, just places where my feet join my legs, but I blame my mother for that. Genetics can be cruel, but that’s just how things are. My jawline is doughy at best. The last time I treated myself to a facial, the therapist made the catastrophic error of using the word, “jowls”, which had an adverse effect on both my mood and her tip.

When it comes to looks, the only thing I’ve ever felt envious of is that tight, defined jawline, so rarely seen in real life, but which almost every actress or model has in photoshoots. Yes, I realise that it’s achieved through Photoshop rather than nature, but I decided to see if it was possible to achieve a firmer jawline at home, using 001 London’s Three Peaks MicroSculptor tool kit, which came complete with their Vit A Repair and Regrow Concentrate and a helpful illustrated card showing their at home ritual which combines elements of the traditional Chinese healing treatment of Gua Sha, with facial lymphatic drainage. There’s an online video demonstration too.

Unlike many women, I’ve never been overly bothered by my appearance.

Gua sha is a TCM massage technique that involves scraping and abrading the skin to promote healing. It’s said to promote the flow of chi, improve microcirculation and reduce inflammation. It can also leave the client’s skin red, scraped and bruised, but fortunately, 001 London’s smooth bian stone microsculpting tool is much gentler. I found my skin became slightly redder after each daily treatment, but with no lasting damage to either my skin tone or texture. If anything, the Repair Concentrate proved a great winter moisturiser. The ritual involves using different edges of the tool on different parts of the face and neck, down to the collarbones. Many of the movements are similar to facial forms of Manual Lymphatic Drainage, sweeping upwards and outwards along draining channels. It was easy to pick up and less fuss than facial massage. The tool was versatile, easy to handle and can be heated or cooled for additional benefit.

And the result? Well I can’t claim to have developed a jawline that looks Photoshopped, but I do see a tightening and a reduction in the doughy quality that previously existed. I plan to keep using the treatment at home. It’s quite soothing and relaxing and makes you spend some time on yourself. I can see this being a popular addition to the service portfolio of any holistic therapist who offers facial treatments, as it offers noticeable benefits. n

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The kit costs £112 and is available from www.001skincare.com.